Audience wave the five-star red flags as they watch the military parade held in Beijing on September 3, 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Photo: Xinhua

The massive military parade held in Beijing on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War drew widespread attention in the island of Taiwan. A number of well-known figures in the island, including James Soong Chu-yu and Hung Hsiu-chu, urged the public to remember the history of defending the motherland, while noting that commemorating the victory of the war is not meant to incite hatred, but to remind people that only by remembering history can we strengthen national unity.

Soong, chairman of the People First Party (PFP) in Taiwan region, who visited the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory, told media that the military parade in Beijing to show military power was to let the world know that 80 years ago, "China lacked the ability to defend itself. Today, no one can bully the Chinese nation at will again. That is our shared sentiment and vision," he said, according to local media reports.

Soong stressed that China's display of military power is to let the world know that the Chinese nation is absolutely capable of self-defense, ensuring that no inch of Chinese land will be forcibly occupied by others, and China will not forcibly occupy an inch of land from other countries. "In particular, it is to tell our compatriots in Taiwan that we are all descendants of the Chinese nation and should love each other. Let us work together to recreate the glory and future of Chinese civilization," he reportedly said.

Hung, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party who attended the grand commemorations in Beijing on Wednesday, posted on her Facebook page that "if not for the bloodshed and sacrifice of our forefathers, how could Taiwan have a place to live in peace now? History cannot be erased - it must be passed down from generation to generation as part of our national memory."

Hung criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for threatening any political party, group, or individual in Taiwan island who participates in the commemorative events with penalties if they are deemed to "engage in propaganda." "This is not only a suppression of free speech, but also an attempt to bury the truth of history," Hung said. 

"If the DPP authorities insist on using intimidation to block participation in commemorations, it only reveals its own insecurity and distances itself from the deep emotional connection Taiwan residents have with the history of the war," Hung wrote. "I call on the DPP authorities to stop blindly flattering foreign powers, and instead have the courage to reclaim our own voice in history."

Hung further pointed that "for eighty years, peace has not come easily. Commemorating victory is not about stirring hatred, but about reminding us that only by remembering history can we unite, win the right to speak for ourselves, and together move toward a peaceful, rejuvenated the Chinese nation in the future."

Taiwan's media outlet China Times published an editorial titled "Commemorating the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression: A shared history across the Taiwan Straits." It said that "although the two sides of the Straits have different political systems today, from the standpoint of both being Chinese and part of the same nation, commemorating the hard-won victory achieved through the sacrifice of 400 million people and honoring the martyrs and compatriots are sentiments that are shared, and should not be subject to unnecessary division or separation."

Want Daily, another Taiwan island-based media, also said in an editorial that the mainland's V-Day military parade not only highlighted the historical lesson of "never forget national humiliation, build a strong military for a strong nation," but also serves as a demonstration of both hard military strength and the soft power of friendship. Want Daily previously published another editorial saying that Taiwan residents also "share the pride" in the V-Day military parade. 

On Thursday, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, slammed Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te's disparaging claims about the V-Day commemorations. 

Asked to comment on Lai's claims on social media, Chen said that Lai betrayed any sense of national standing, defied justice and conscience, gravely wounded the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, and laid bare the ugly face and sinister nature of "Taiwan independence" separatists. 

"September 3 is the Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, a day of pride for all Chinese at home and abroad. While the entire nation solemnly marked the 80th anniversary of this victory, Lai Ching-te indulged in reckless rhetoric, whitewashing aggression and inciting confrontation," Chen said.

Undeterred by warnings from the DPP authorities, several Taiwan entertainers, including Shu Qi, Annie Yi, Nicky Wu, Aska Yang, Wen Qi, Wu Kang-ren, and Yan Wenzhong, reposted messages about the commemorations on social media to express their sentiments of remembering history, honoring the martyrs, and cherishing peace.

Lee Wei-kuo, chairman of the Taipei-based Chinese Youth Trade Development Association, who was also present at Wednesday's parade, told the Global Times that it was a great honor to be invited. "Standing on the reviewing stand and watching the parade, I truly felt immense pride in being a member of the Chinese nation," Lee said.

"Eighty years ago, all Chinese people, including our compatriots in Taiwan, fought bravely and made tremendous sacrifices to bring peace for the entire nation. We must always remember where we came from and never forget our roots, so that we can build a better future. Eighty years on, we should draw wisdom and strength from history, stay united, and move forward hand in hand," Lee said. 

Taiwan internet influencer Chen Chih-han, better known as "Guan Zhang" or "gym boss," once said he hoped to attend the parade in person. "As long as you recognize yourself as a dignified Chinese, watching the parade will fill you with immense pride, because this is our army," he said, Taiwan.cn reported on Wednesday. 

Many netizens in Taiwan were also closely following the mainland's V-Day commemorations, with many reposting posters of the events. One netizen said that "as a dignified Chinese, I truly feel proud today," while another noted that "as a Taiwan resident, even though the political systems are different with the mainland, I am still proud of the Chinese people and of China's strength."